Air Canada flight attendants have announced they will defy a government back-to-work order, continuing their strike that has severely disrupted travel in the country. The union representing 10,000 workers said it would challenge the order in court and seek compensation for unpaid work hours.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees stated that the order violates charter rights and demands a fair, negotiated contract and payment for all hours worked on the ground before takeoff and after landing. However, the union may face difficulties obtaining an injunction to block the order due to the significant disruption caused by the strike.
Air Canada has suspended its reopening plan until Monday evening, citing the ongoing strike. The airline’s service is currently grounded, affecting about 130,000 passengers daily. Passengers have reported difficulty in contacting Air Canada and struggling with rebooking flights. The situation has been compounded by Canada’s vast size, making alternatives to flying on many routes scarce.
The union’s decision to defy the back-to-work order could lead to fines of hundreds of thousands of dollars for both the union and its members if they are found to be in non-compliance.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/17/world/canada/air-canada-strike.html